The end of “a remarkable career”

University of Hawaii’s vice president for community colleges, after half a century at the school, has announced his plan to retire June 1.

John Morton began working under University of Hawaii in 1970 as a faculty member in chemistry and political science at Leeward Community College. After working at Leeward Community college, he moved to Kapiʻolani Community College for 21 years, where he worked as a chancellor before becoming the vice president for community colleges.

Morton said his draw to community colleges stems from the idea that anyone who has the opportunity and support could get a higher education.
During Mortonʻs time as vice president, the Hawaiʻi CC Pālamanui campus and Culinary Institute of the Pacific were constructed.

More recently during Mortonʻs time in office, the Hawaii Promise, a scholarship program for students enrolled at UH community colleges, and the Hawaiʻi Nutrition Employment and Training, a program that assists students in costs for food, transportation, books, and other school related needs, were both created.

While UH plans to have a new vice president by Spring 2020, UH President David Lassner says, “the university and the entire state owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to John Morton for a remarkable career.”